Editorial: Older and wiser?

OPINION: Statistics New Zealand's latest population projections show South Canterbury is on track to become a giant retirement village over the next 20 years.

According to the projections South Canterbury's population is getting older and by 2031 will have the second highest median age in the country – 49.1 years.

The number crunchers have lumped the region in with those experiencing low fertility, an outflow of young adults aged 15 to 29 years, and an influx of older people.

Most people who live here would agree that South Canterbury ticks all those boxes.

The most concerning number in the projections is an expected 16 per cent decline in the number of people aged 15 to 39 over that period. At the same time the number of residents aged 65 and over is forecast to rise 72.5 per cent.

Mackenzie and Waimate are facing similar problems, with the numbers of young residents in a moderate decline while the older population shoots up. In Mackenzie's case this is very pronounced, with its population aged over 65 expected to more than double.

The projections reflect what is happening to New Zealand's population as a whole, but the situation is more pronounced here.

While it could be argued that the region will benefit from an abundance of wisdom, the population distortion will put extra pressure on the services that care for the elderly, as well as hospital facilities. It may also distort the cost of living in the region because there will be fewer people available for work, and more on pensions. Underlying the projections is a simple fact – we are losing too many young people and not doing enough to attract newcomers and their families to replace them.

None of this is particularly new. Young South Cantabrians have always been attracted away to brighter lights by training, better job opportunities and higher pay.

The trick is getting them to come back and have families here, as well as finding new recruits to join the local population.

South Canterbury's attractions are manifest. The region is blessed with good schools, beaches, skifields and much more. There is an incredible quality of life to be had here.

However, many other parts of New Zealand have similar advantages. These things alone may not be enough to lure our diaspora back, and to attract newcomers.

To do that we need a vibrant local economy which will allow us to offer great jobs with genuine career prospects. We have to offer rates of pay comparable to rival areas. If we can turn these numbers around we will prove that, not only are we getting older, we're also getting much wiser.

- © Fairfax NZ News